DOCSLIB.ORG

The Rival Claimants  to Reasons for Their Claims to the • Aethling Throne

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Rival Claimants  to Reasons for Their Claims to the • Aethling Throne What do I need to know: Key Words: The Rival Claimants to reasons for their claims to the • Aethling throne. • Bayeux Tapestry In 1066, Edward was seriously ill but a Strengths and weaknesses of claims. • Sub-regulus succession crisis was just around the corner. • Novissima verba • Post obitum Edgar the Outlaw Harald Hardrada: The Viking Warrior. There were 4 men who believed they had a • Witan (Aethling) (c1015-1066) right to be the next king of England. Edward (c1051-1126) • Harald was the King of Norway and was 62 when he died but had no heir. • The nearest relative had ruled for 20 years. and the great nephew. • He was a seasoned warrior Harald Godwinson: (c1022-1066) William, Duke of Normandy. • Only 14 years old. • He was the leader of the famous • He was the most important earl n (c1028-1087) • He had no money, no Varangian Guard England as the EARL OF WESSEX. • William took over as Duke of Normandy at the soldiers and no military • His name means ‘hard ruler.’ • He was not a blood relation but he was age of 7 and faced many attempts against his experiences. • He had the support of Harold the King’s brother in law as he was life in this position. married to his sister Edith. • His grandfather, Godwinson's brother Tostig. • William was a successful and brutal warrior. • Tostig flattered Hardrada and • The Godwins had tried and failed to Edmund Ironside, was • In 1047, William and his army won the battle Edward’s half-brother. offered him the support of the overthrow Edward in 1051. of Val-es-Dunes and cut off the heads and feet • Edmunds son, Edward north of England. • They were exiled but dominated the the Exile had been • Many people in the North were Witan so they were allowed to return to of his enemies after they made a comment named as successor by Scandinavian and so felt they England just a year later. about his mother. Edward the Confessor should support him • Harold inherited his father’s earldom in • He was a distant cousin of Edward through in 1056. • He was a powerful Viking with a 1053. Edward’s mother, Emma. • But he had died after large and successful army. • He was the richest man in England. • William claimed that Edward had promised his return to England in • He was related to King Cnut who • He was a skilful military leader. him the throne earlier in his reign. 1057. reigned from 1016 to 1035. • He was the Sub-regulus’ a deputy king • In 1051, the Godwins rebelled against Edward, • Edgar and his sister had • His claim was that, as Edward had who ran England for Edward and and William travelled to England to give his represented him in battle from 1060 lived with Edward and no sons a relative of the previous support to Edward and as a result Edward king should be chosen. onwards. his wife Edith, since promised him the throne. they were small • It was said that Hardrada’s father • Harold said that Edward had promised • William said Harold Godwinson had sworn to children. Magnus had been promised the him the throne on his deathbed • Edgar was an Anglo- throne by Cnut’s son, Harthacnut. • He had the support of the Witan. support his claim to the throne in 1064. Saxon had the support • Edward had claimed the throne, • He had support of the English Nobles. • Wessex and Normandy had been allies since of many earls. throwing Hardrada aside. • William of Normandy alleged that 988. They were natural trading partners and Harold had earlier sworn him a sacred helped each other when facing threats such as The Succession Crisis in 1066: oath of fealty to support his own claim the Vikings. • England had a troubled history in the 50 years leading up to the succession crisis of 1066. to the throne. • This relationship had the blessing of the Pope. • There were no clear rules in place for succession to the English throne. • Harold did not deny making the oath but • Edward the Confessor had been a weak ruler. He increased Norman influence at court • William had proved himself a capable ruler of he said he only swore it as he was a and allowed the Godwin’s to increase their power. Normandy and hoped to expand his power prisoner by William and his life was • Harold was hurriedly crowned just one day after Edward’s death. The haste reflected into England. threatened so it wasn’t binding. how insecure he felt. He knew he would face challenges form the other claimants. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Anglo- Saxon England and the Norman Conquest, 1060-1066
    1.1 Anglo- Saxon society Key topic 1: Anglo- Saxon England and 1.2 The last years of Edward the Confessor and the succession crisis the Norman Conquest, 1060-1066 1.3 The rival claimants for the throne 1.4 The Norman invasion The first key topic is focused on the final years of Anglo-Saxon England, covering its political, social and economic make-up, as well as the dramatic events of 1066. While the popular view is often of a barbarous Dark-Ages kingdom, students should recognise that in reality Anglo-Saxon England was prosperous and well governed. They should understand that society was characterised by a hierarchical system of government and they should appreciate the influence of the Church. They should also be aware that while Edward the Confessor was pious and respected, real power in the 1060s lay with the Godwin family and in particular Earl Harold of Wessex. Students should understand events leading up to the death of Edward the Confessor in 1066: Harold Godwinson’s succession as Earl of Wessex on his father’s death in 1053 inheriting the richest earldom in England; his embassy to Normandy and the claims of disputed Norman sources that he pledged allegiance to Duke William; his exiling of his brother Tostig, removing a rival to the throne. Harold’s powerful rival claimants – William of Normandy, Harald Hardrada and Edgar – and their motives should also be covered. Students should understand the range of causes of Harold’s eventual defeat, including the superior generalship of his opponent, Duke William of Normandy, the respective quality of the two armies and Harold’s own mistakes.
    [Show full text]
  • Wessex and the Reign of Edmund Ii Ironside
    Chapter 16 Wessex and the Reign of Edmund ii Ironside David McDermott Edmund Ironside, the eldest surviving son of Æthelred ii (‘the Unready’), is an often overlooked political figure. This results primarily from the brevity of his reign, which lasted approximately seven months, from 23 April to 30 November 1016. It could also be said that Edmund’s legacy compares unfavourably with those of his forebears. Unlike other Anglo-Saxon Kings of England whose lon- ger reigns and periods of uninterrupted peace gave them opportunities to leg- islate, renovate the currency or reform the Church, Edmund’s brief rule was dominated by the need to quell initial domestic opposition to his rule, and prevent a determined foreign adversary seizing the throne. Edmund conduct- ed his kingship under demanding circumstances and for his resolute, indefati- gable and mostly successful resistance to Cnut, his career deserves to be dis- cussed and his successes acknowledged. Before discussing the importance of Wessex for Edmund Ironside, it is con- structive, at this stage, to clarify what is meant by ‘Wessex’. It is also fitting to use the definition of the region provided by Barbara Yorke. The core shires of Wessex may be reliably regarded as Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Berk- shire and Hampshire (including the Isle of Wight).1 Following the victory of the West Saxon King Ecgbert at the battle of Ellendun (Wroughton, Wilts.) in 835, the borders of Wessex expanded, with the counties of Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Essex passing from Mercian to West Saxon control.2 Wessex was not the only region with which Edmund was associated, and nor was he the only king from the royal House of Wessex with connections to other regions.
    [Show full text]
  • Erin and Alban
    A READY REFERENCE SKETCH OF ERIN AND ALBAN WITH SOME ANNALS OF A BRANCH OF A WEST HIGHLAND FAMILY SARAH A. McCANDLESS CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION. PART I CHAPTER I PRE-HISTORIC PEOPLE OF BRITAIN 1. The Stone Age--Periods 2. The Bronze Age 3. The Iron Age 4. The Turanians 5. The Aryans and Branches 6. The Celto CHAPTER II FIRST HISTORICAL MENTION OF BRITAIN 1. Greeks 2. Phoenicians 3. Romans CHAPTER III COLONIZATION PE}RIODS OF ERIN, TRADITIONS 1. British 2. Irish: 1. Partholon 2. Nemhidh 3. Firbolg 4. Tuatha de Danan 5. Miledh 6. Creuthnigh 7. Physical CharacteriEtics of the Colonists 8. Period of Ollaimh Fodhla n ·'· Cadroc's Tradition 10. Pictish Tradition CHAPTER IV ERIN FROM THE 5TH TO 15TH CENTURY 1. 5th to 8th, Christianity-Results 2. 9th to 12th, Danish Invasions :0. 12th. Tribes and Families 4. 1169-1175, Anglo-Norman Conquest 5. Condition under Anglo-Norman Rule CHAPTER V LEGENDARY HISTORY OF ALBAN 1. Irish sources 2. Nemedians in Alban 3. Firbolg and Tuatha de Danan 4. Milesians in Alban 5. Creuthnigh in Alban 6. Two Landmarks 7. Three pagan kings of Erin in Alban II CONTENTS CHAPTER VI AUTHENTIC HISTORY BEGINS 1. Battle of Ocha, 478 A. D. 2. Dalaradia, 498 A. D. 3. Connection between Erin and Alban CHAPTER VII ROMAN CAMPAIGNS IN BRITAIN (55 B.C.-410 A.D.) 1. Caesar's Campaigns, 54-55 B.C. 2. Agricola's Campaigns, 78-86 A.D. 3. Hadrian's Campaigns, 120 A.D. 4. Severus' Campaigns, 208 A.D. 5. State of Britain During 150 Years after SeveTus 6.
    [Show full text]
  • ANGLO-SAXON CHARTERS (July 2018) Add Ch 19788 Sawyer 67
    ANGLO-SAXON CHARTERS (July 2018) Add Ch 19788 Sawyer 67 624? King Wulfhere Worcester Add Ch 19789 Sawyer 56 759 Eanberht etc Worcester Add Ch 19790 Sawyer 139 8th century King Offa Worcester Add Ch 19791 Sawyer 1281 904 Bishop Werferth Worcester Add Ch 19792 Sawyer 1326 969 Bishop Oswald Worcester Add Ch 19793 Sawyer 772 969 King Edgar Worcester Add Ch 19794 Sawyer 1347 984 Archbishop Oswald Worcester Add Ch 19795 Sawyer 1385 11th century Archbishop Wulfstan Worcester Add Ch 19796 Sawyer 1423 11th century Abbot Ælfweard Worcester Add Ch 19797 Sawyer 1399 11th century Bishop Brihtheah Worcester Add Ch 19798 Sawyer 1393 1038 Bishop Lyfing Worcester Add Ch 19799 Sawyer 1394 1042 Bishop Lyfing Worcester Add Ch 19800 Sawyer 1407 c. 1053 Bishop Ealdred Worcester Add Ch 19801 Sawyer 1405 1058 Bishop Ealdred Worcester Add Ch 19802 Sawyer 1156 1062 Edward the Confessor Worcester Add Ch 28657 Sawyer 1098 11th century Edward the Confessor Coventry Add Ch 33686 Sawyer 798, 974; 1062 King Edgar etc Ramsey 1030, 1109, 1110 Add MS 7138 Sawyer 1451a 10th century Plegmund Narrative Exeter Cotton Ch IV 18 Sawyer 451 925 King Æthelstan Beverley Cotton Ch VI 2 Sawyer 1043 1066 Edward the Confessor Westminster Cotton Ch VI 4 Sawyer 266 761 King Æthelberht Rochester Cotton Ch VII 6 Sawyer 1121 11th century Edward the Confessor Westminster Cotton Ch VII 13 Sawyer 1141 11th century Edward the Confessor Westminster Cotton Ch VIII 3 Sawyer 96 757 King Æthelbald Malmesbury Cotton Ch VIII 4 Sawyer 264 778 King Cynewulf Cotton Ch VIII 6 Sawyer 550 949 King Eadred
    [Show full text]
  • Anglo-Saxon 1
    Anglo‐Saxon 1: AD 410‐AD 1066 Anglo—Saxon Age AD 410—AD 1066 The last Roman soldiers le Britain in AD 410, new selers arrived in ships , the Anglo‐Saxons. They were a mixture of tribes from Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands, the main three tribes were the Angles, Saxons and Jutes. The land they seled was called Angle‐land…. England. Each group of selers had a leader or war‐chief. Powerful leaders became cyning (king) and the strongest of these would claim to be bretwalda (sovereign of Britain). By around AD 600 there were five major kingdoms, somemes at peace and somemes at war with each other. From this me the pagan Anglo‐Saxons began to convert to Chrisanity. The early Anglo‐Saxons were pagans and believed in many gods, much like the Scandinavian Vikings. King of the Anglo‐Saxon gods was Woden (from this comes ‘Woden’s day’ or Wednesday). Thunor (Thursday) was the god of thunder, Frige (Friday) the goddess of love and Tiw (Tuesday), god of war. Burials can tell us a lot about these people. Warriors would be buried with their spear and shield although we may only find the bones and metal parts remaining during excavaon. The graves of women may include weaving tools and jewellry. The Lakenheath Warrior (le) was buried in a wooden coffin with his sword, shield and spear lain on top. He was also buried with his horse. The burial also contained food for the aerlife. The Suon Hoo cemetery site contains burial mounds. One of these, (believed to be Raedwald, King of East Anglia) contained a complete ship (only the outline and rivets survived), the ceremonial helmet (right), metalwork dress fings (below), weapons and silver plate from Byzanum.
    [Show full text]
  • Harald Hardrada Invades
    What happened when Edward the Confessor died? Harald Hardrada invades What do I need to know: • 5th January 1066 – Edward the Confessor dies The events of the Battles of Fulford • 6th January 1066 – Harold Godwinson crowned King of England From the moment that Harold Godwinson was crowned, he was aware that he Gate and Stamford Bridge What happened to the 4 contenders? faced a number of challenges to his throne. He marched south which part of his Why Hardrada won Fulford • William, Duke of Normandy claims the throne was promised to him army to prepare for an invasion by William. He left the rest of his army under the Why he lost Stamford Bridge. – he mobilises his troops in preparation for an invasion of Britain command of his brothers in law earls Edwin and Morcar. • Edgar Aethling considered too young to be King or challenge the Key Words: Harold prepares to strike! • Fulford gate decision • Fyrd • Harald Hardrada prepares to invade in the North • Haralf Hardrada of Norway invaded England in the September. • Hardrada • 8th September – peasant soldiers, known as the fyrd, sent home to • He sailed up the river Humber with 300 ships and landed 16 km (10 miles) from the city of • Stamford Bridge harvest the crops York. Earls Edwin and Morcar were waiting for him with the northern army and attempted to • Viking • Harald Hardrada invades the north of England prevent the Norwegian forces from advancing to York. • Earls Edwin and Morcar wait with the northern army to prevent the Were the battles significant? Norwegian forces from advancing The Battle of Stamford Bridge Significant because… However… The loss at Fulford meant that King Harold had to move quickly to deal with the Viking invasion.
    [Show full text]
  • Anglo-Saxon Coins Found in Finland, and to This End He Compiled a List of the Same
    U I LLINOI S UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN PRODUCTION NOTE University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library Brittle Books Project, 2012. COPYRIGHT NOTIFICATION In Public Domain. Published prior to 1923. This digital copy was made from the printed version held by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It was made in compliance with copyright law. Prepared for the Brittle Books Project, Main Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign by Northern Micrographics Brookhaven Bindery La Crosse, Wisconsin 2012 ANGLO-SAXON COINS FOUND IN FINLAND. ANGLO-SAXON COINS FOUND IN FINLAND BY C. A. NORDMAN HELSINGFORS 1921 HELSINOFORS 1921. PRINTED BY HOLGER SCHILDT . PREFACE. The late Mr. O. Alcenius had designs on a publication treating of the Anglo-Saxon coins found in Finland, and to this end he compiled a list of the same. One part of this list containing most of the coins of Aethelred, along with a short introduction, was printed already, but owing to some cause or other the issue of the essay was discontinued some time before the death of the author. Although the original list has not now been found fit for use, 'the investigations of Mr. Alcenius have anyhow been of good service for the composition of this paper. The list now appears in a revised and also completed form. Further on in this essay short descriptions of the coin types have been inserted before the list of the coins of each king, and there has been an attempt made to a chronological arrangement of the types. Mr. Alcenius also tried to fix the relative and absolute chronology of the coins of Aethelred, but I regret to say that I could not take the same point of view as he as to the sequence of the types.
    [Show full text]
  • Athelstan: England's Forgotten First King
    Athelstan: England’s Forgotten First King __________________________________________ Jody van Baren 5602378 BA Thesis Language and Culture Studies Utrecht University February 2019 Supervisor: Dr. Marcelle Cole Second reader: Dr. Lieke Stelling Table of Contents Introduction…………………………….……………………………………….…...1 1. History Writing in Medieval England…………………………………………....4 2. Athelstan’s Portrayal in the Tenth Century…………………………………......14 3. Athelstan’s Portrayal in the Twelfth Century…………………………………...20 3.1 Gesta Regum Anglorum…………………………………..…………..…20 3.2 Historia Regum Britanniae……………………………...….………...…23 Conclusion…………………………………………….…………….……………...26 Works Cited……………………………………………………………………..….28 Van Baren Introduction Æðelstan cyning lædde fyrde to Brunanbyrig: ‘Athelstan the king led the levy to Brunanburh.’ Nine hundred and thirty-seven years had passed since the birth of Christ. For the first time, a single king laid claim to the whole of Britain (Holland 3). Athelstan was the first king to claim the title Rex totius Britanniae (King of all Britain). He succeeded to the throne in 924, captured York from the Danes in 927 and invaded Scotland in 934. In 937 Athelstan met an alliance of the Norse, the Scots and the Strathclyde Britons in The Battle of Brunanburh and emerged victoriously. It was this battle that unified all of England for the first time and “forged a political map of the future that remains with us [in modernity], arguably making The Battle of Brunanburh one of the most significant battles in the long history not just of England, but of the whole of the British Isles” (Livingston 1). Athelstan reigned until his death in 939. Athelstan’s reign marked a pivotal period in the history of Britain and yet Athelstan is one of the most scarcely-recorded late Anglo-Saxon kings, both before and after the Norman Conquest.
    [Show full text]
  • Harold Godwinson in 1066
    Y7 Home Learning HT2 This term we are studying the Norman conquest of 1066 and onwards. An event which changed how England looked and worked for years to come. The tasks below relate to each week of study, and should only be completed depending on what your teacher asks. Week 1 Task 1 Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cKGz- st75w&ab_channel=BBCTeach Think: How different was Saxon England to today’s England? Answer these questions below: 1. What did the Saxons do for entertainment? 2. What did people do for medicine? 3. What is the main religion in Britain now? How different do you think Saxon Britain is compared to today? Answer in your books. Task 2 Read the information above to connect the correct descriptions to the correct job title in your books, using the words below. Job Titles: Descriptions: Peasant Farmers Old Wise men Slaves Bought and sold Thegns (pronounced Thane) Those who rent farms Earls Aristocrats The Monarchy Holds more land than peasants The Witan Advisors Is owed service Lives in a manor house Relationships are based on loyalty 10% of the population Decide the new King Week 2 Task 3 Look at the image below: This image is a tapestry, showing an image of King Harold Godwinson in 1066. There are 9 items in the tapestry that have been circled. Explain in your book how each of these 9 people/items show Harold as a powerful king. E.g. The orb shows Harold as powerful because… Task 4 Read the source of information about Harold Godwinson below.
    [Show full text]
  • Anglo Saxons and Vikings
    Background Information Chronology: The Anglo-Saxons were a group of farmer-warriors who Anglo Saxons 350 AD Anglo-Saxons begin raids on England but are beaten back by the lived in Britain thousands of years ago. Romans 410 AD Roman rule in Britain ends They were made up of three tribes who came from Eu- 459 AD Angles and Saxons invade rope; called the Angle, Saxon and Jute tribes. They shared 597 AD Augustine, sent by Pope Gregory I, comes to spread Christianity the same language but were ruled by different warriors. and Vikings 616 AD Ethelberht, the first Christian English king, dies in Kent The Vikings spoke Norse, which had an alphabet made up 633 AD Lindisfarne monastery built of characters called runes. Autumn Term 2 731 AD Bede, widely regarded as the greatest Anglo-Saxon scholar, finish- es his ‘History of England’ 758 AD Offa becomes king of Mercia 789 AD First recorded Viking attack happens in Dorset How did they get here? Good to Know: 793 AD Viking raid on Lindisfarne They sailed over to Britain on wooden boats to find new Viking warriors believed that when they died in 796 AD Offa, of Mercia, dies 867-878 AD Series of big Viking victories land to farm because floods destroyed the farmland in battle, they went to Valhalla – this is where the 886 AD Vikings and Alfred, the King of Wessex, divide England 899 AD their home countries. The Vikings invaded and settled in king of the gods lived, named Odin. King Alfred ‘the Great’ dies the North of England.
    [Show full text]
  • The Nordic Cross Flag: Crusade and Conquest April 22, 2020 Show Transcript
    Season 1, Episode 5: The Nordic Cross Flag: Crusade and Conquest April 22, 2020 Show Transcript Welcome back to another episode of Why the Flag?, the show that explores the stories behind the flags, and how these symbols impact our world, our histories, and ourselves. I’m Simon Mullin. On the last episode, we discussed the Y Ddraig Goch – the red dragon flag of Wales – and the deep historical and mythological origins of the red dragon on a green and white ground. We traveled back nearly 2,000 years to the Roman conquest of Britannia and the introduction of the dragon standard to the British Isles by the Iranian-Eastern European Sarmatian cavalry stationed at Hadrian’s Wall. We explored how the dragon was adopted by the Roman army as a standard, and after their withdrawal from Britannia, its mythological rise as the symbol of Uther Pendragon and King Arthur, and then its resurrection by Henry VII – whose 15th Century battle standard closely resembles the flag of Wales we see today. National mythology plays a significant role in shaping our identities and how we see ourselves as a community and as a people. And, as we found in episode 4, these mythologies are instrumental in shaping how we design and emotionally connect to our national flags. We’re going to continue this theme about the cross-section of history, mythology, and national identity on the episode today as we discuss the rise of the Nordic Cross, a symbol that shapes the flags of all eight Nordic and Scandinavian countries today, and rules over nearly 28 million citizens speaking 15 distinct languages.
    [Show full text]
  • The Anglo-Saxon Coins of Harthacnut
    THE ANGLO-SAXON COINS OF HARTHACNUT. BY H. ALEXANDER PARSONS. O the student who consults the two chief works of reference relating to the English coins of Harthacnut, the striking feature which presents itself is that so many Anglian types have been attributed to a reign which was one of the shortest in this country's history. The first of these works is Hildebrand's comprehensive Catalogue of Anglo-Saxon Coins in the Royal Cabinet of Coins and Medals in Stockholm, 1881. The second is the Catalogue of Anglo-Saxon Coins in the British Museum, vol. ii, 1893. Both works give nine types to the reign with their varieties. It should be mentioned, however, that, from his remarks on the types, it seems that Hildebrand had some hesitation in ascribing the bulk of the different issues to England, and he clearly states that only his Types A and B are perfectly normal English types. On the other hand, in the introduction to the British Museum Catalogtie, p. xcii, it is stated that " we need not question that the types described by Hildebrand are English," although in the catalogue itself the authors indicate that one of their types, together with a variety of another, may be Danish copies of English coins, and they further exclude, altogether, one of Hildebrands types on the plea that it is Danish, p. 321. From these remarks it will readily be seen that the published English issues of Harthacnut are the subject of considerable confusion and uncertainty, and it may at once be stated that before it is possible to be constructive it is necessary to be destructive.
    [Show full text]